Risk Factors including Mechanisms of Disease Flashcards
Smoking
When something is burned and the smoke containing chemicals is inhaled into the lungs to be absorbed into the bloodstream, generally relates to tobacco but other drugs like marijuana can also be smoked.
Alcohol
A depressant drug which means it slows down the central nervous system and impairs messages resulting in a sedative effect, slower reaction time, etc. Alcohol is energy dense therefore high in kilojoules; excess intake therefore places individuals at risk of positive energy balance leading to weight gain.
Binge drinking
Drinking more than 4 standard drinks in one sitting; short term.
Alcoholism or alcohol addiction
A chronic or long term condition; a constant desire to drink. Can also be referred to as alcohol dependence.
BMI
A height to weight ratio, calculated by weight (kg)/ height (m)2. It is a measure that can be used to indicate if a person is underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese.
High BMI
A BMI of 30 or over is classified as obese.
Soluble Fibre
It has a binding effect that can lead to the increased removal of cholesterol from the body; found in fruits, vegetables, oats and legumes.
Insoluble Fibre
Plays a major role in adding bulk to faeces; found in fresh fruits and vegetables e.g. corn, wholegrains.
Energy dense foods
Foods that contain significant amounts of fat, carbohydrates and/or protein, they contribute large amounts of energy to the diet especially processed foods such as donuts, meat pies, hot chips, soft drink
Nutrient dense foods
Foods that contain a large amount of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals e.g. fruits, vegetables and dairy.
Cholesterol
A waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Cholesterol is used by the body for the production of hormones, vitamin D (from sunlight) and digestive enzymes. Found in foods containing fat e.g. animal fats such as dairy i.e. butter, meat e.g. beef.
Low density lipoprotein (LDL)
Carry cholesterol from the liver to the cells; high LDL levels produce a build up of cholesterol in arteries which can be LETHAL. Found in saturated fats (animals products e.g. dairy, meat, eggs) and trans fats (donuts, meat pies, pre-packaged foods e.g. supermarket cakes)
High density lipoprotein (HDL)
Carry cholesterol from other parts of the body to the liver, which then removes it from the body which means they are HELPFUL. Found in unsaturated fat foods e.g. polyunsaturated fats (fish)
Antioxidants
Compounds found in foods that neutralize free radicals making them less susceptible to becoming cancerous; found in fruits and vegetables.
Dairy
Includes milk, cheese and yoghurt; dairy foods are high in calcium, a mineral responsible for the ossification or hardening of bones and teeth.
Monounsaturated fats
A ‘good or healthy’ fat as reduce LDL cholesterol; food sources include avocado and olive oil.
Polyunsaturated fats
A ‘good or healthy’ fat as reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol; food sources include fish.
Saturated fats
Derived from animal fats e.g. red meat, eggs, butter; saturated fat foods are energy dense and increase LDL cholesterol.
Trans fats
Trans fat foods are highly processed and energy dense e.g. meat pie, supermarket cakes, packet chips; they increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol.
Salt
A mineral that is made up of sodium and chloride, sodium in high levels can have a negative impact on health by drawing water out of cells and increasing blood volume, increasing blood pressure/causing hypertension. Food sources include table salt, salted nuts, salted chips, tomato sauce, processed meats such as bacon, salami.
Sugar
A form of carbohydrate that the body converts to glucose; food sources include soft drinks, lollies, flavoured milk. High sugar foods are energy dense.
Iron
A mineral involved in haemoglobin, the oxygen carrying component of red blood cells. Food sources include animal products such as red meat and eggs, also green leafy vegetables e.g. spinach, broccoli.
Smoking - CVD
Inhalation of dangerous chemicals from tobacco smoke = increases the rate of atherosclerosis = sticky plaque build up on blood vessel walls causing hardening and potential blockages resulting in…- heart attack (coronary heart disease - reduced oxygen flow to heart) AND/OR - stroke (reduced oxygen flow to the brain)
Smoking - lung cancer
Inhalation of dangerous chemicals in tobacco smoke into the lungs = increased risk of abnormal cell growth in the lungs
Smoking - asthma
Inhalation of dangerous chemicals in tobacco smoke into the lungs = narrowing and inflammation of airways reducing oxygen flow
Smoking - COPD
Inhalation of dangerous chemicals in tobacco smoke into the lungs = progressive, long term lung damage = obstruction of oxygen intake = making breathing difficult = e.g. emphysema, bronchitis
Alcohol - obesity
Alcohol is energy dense = increase risk of positive energy balance = weight gain/excess adipose tissue storage = high BMI/obesity
Alcohol - CVD
Alcohol is energy dense = increase risk of positive energy balance = weight gain/excess adipose tissue storage = high BMI/obesity = strain on the heart = increase risk heart attack (coronary heart disease)
Alcohol - Type 2 diabetes
Alcohol is energy dense = increase risk of positive energy balance = weight gain/excess adipose tissue storage = high BMI/obesity = strain on pancreas = inability to release insulin effectively to regulate blood glucose levels
Alcohol - liver diseases
Alcohol is filtered by the liver = excess consumption places strain on the liver to perform this function = liver damage/cirrhosis/disease/failure AND/OR abnormal cell growth in the liver = liver cancer
Alcohol - mental health disturbances e.g. depression
Alcohol is a depressant drug = slowing down messages within central nervous system and altering behaviour = which may result in…
- regrettable actions e.g. drink driving fatality
- strain on relationships e.g. fight with friend when intoxicated
- addiction e.g. causing financial stress= mental health disturbances e.g. depression
Alcohol - injuries
Alcohol is a depressant drug = slowing down messages within central nervous system and slowing down reaction time, also can increase risk taking behaviours e.g…
- driving while intoxicated
- swimming while intoxicated
jumping off balcony
= injuries such as broken leg, head and/or spinal injury, etc.
High BMI - CVD
Excess adipose tissue = strain on the heart = increase risk of heart attack/ischaemic heart disease/coronary heart disease (reduced oxygen flow to the heart)
High BMI - cancer
Excess adipose tissue = increase risk of a range of cancers (abnormal and uncontrollable cell growth) e.g. stomach cancer, kidney cancer
High BMI - osteoarthritis
Excess adipose tissue = increase strain on joints e.g. knee = increase risk of osteoarthritis (wearing down of cartilage between the joints causing inflammation, pain, stiffness)
High BMI - Type 2 diabetes
Excess adipose tissue = increase strain on pancreas = inability to release insulin effectively to regulate blood glucose levels
Low fruit and vegetable intake - obesity
Low intake of fibre = reduced satiety = more likely to overeat/snack on energy dense foods = increase risk of positive energy balance = weight gain/excess adipose tissue = High BMI
Low fruit and vegetable intake - colorectal cancer
Low intake of insoluble fibre = less bulk added to faeces = cancer causing agents can linger in the bowel = increased increased risk of polyps which may turn cancerous = abnormal and uncontrollable cell growth in colon/bowel and rectum
Low fruit and vegetable intake - cancer (in general)
Low intake of antioxidants = antioxidants help to neutralise free radicals so without these increased risk of abnormal and uncontrollable cell growth e.g. kidney cancer, stomach cancer
Low fruit and vegetable intake - communicable diseases
Low intake of Vitamin C = lowered efficiency of immune system = increase susceptibility to communicable diseases e.g. TB, measles, whooping cough, cholera, influenza, COVID
Low dairy intake - osteoporosis
Low intake of calcium = less efficient ossification of bones = more porous and weak bone structure = osteoporosis (increase risk of fractures)
Low dairy intake - dental carries
Low intake of calcium = more porous/weaker tooth enamel = increase risk of dental carries/tooth decay
High intake of fat - CVD
Excess saturated and trans fat consumption = increase cholesterol production = excess deposited on artery walls as plaque = atherosclerosis = hardening of blood vessels increase risk of…
- heart attack (reduced oxygen flow/blockage to heart) OR
- stroke (reduced oxygen flow/blockage to brain)
High intake of fat - Type 2 diabetes
Fat is energy dense = excess consumption can result in positive energy balance = weight gain/excess adipose tissue = increase strain on pancreas = inability to release insulin effectively to regulate blood glucose levels
High intake of fat - obesity
Fat is energy dense = excess consumption can result in positive energy balance = weight gain/excess adipose tissue = high BMI
High intake of salt - CVD
Excess salt consumption = water is drawn from the cells = increase blood volume = increased risk hypertension/high blood pressure
High intake of salt - osteoporosis
Excess salt consumption = as excess salt is excreted from the body in urine = calcium excreted also lowering stores of calcium in bones = porous bones = osteoporosis (increase risk of fractures)
High intake of sugar - obesity
Sugar is energy dense = excess consumption can result in positive energy balance = weight gain/excess adipose tissue = high BMI
High intake of sugar - dental carries
Excess sugar consumption = excess bacteria in the mouth = tooth decay
Low intake of fibre - colorectal cancer
Low intake of insoluble fibre = less bulk added to faeces = cancer causing agents can linger in the bowel = increased risk of polyps which may turn cancerous = abnormal and uncontrollable cell growth in colon/bowel and rectum
Low intake of fibre - obesity
Low intake of fibre = reduced satiety = more likely to overeat/snack on energy dense foods = increase risk of positive energy balance = weight gain/excess adipose tissue = High BMI
Low intake of fibre - CVD
Low soluble fibre intake = less removal of plaque/cholesterol build up from arteries, higher levels of (lethal) low density lipoproteins = increased risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of blood vessels)
Low intake of iron - iron deficiency anaemia
Low iron intake = lower red blood cell count = lower haemoglobin (oxygen carrying component of blood) = tiredness, weakness, etc.
